(1) The secretary may order the deployment of the state emergency medical reserve corps under any of the following circumstances:

(a) When the secretary determines that there exists a threat to the public health including, but not limited to, outbreaks of diseases, food poisoning, contaminated water supplies, and all other matters injurious to the public health;

(b) While an emergency declaration is in effect; or

(c) For training or exercises, or both.

(2) An order of the secretary deploying the state emergency medical reserve corps shall, at a minimum, include:

(a) The duration of the deployment, which the secretary may extend;

(b) The geographical areas in which members may provide services;

(c) Which members may participate in the deployment;

(d) Whether the members will receive compensation for their participation in the deployment and the amount of such compensation; and

(e) The services the members may provide.

(3) The secretary may include in the order any other matters necessary to effectively coordinate the provision of services or the training or exercises during the deployment.

(4) An order issued pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) of this section may take effect immediately, without prior notice or comment, and is not a rule within the meaning of the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW.

(5) The secretary shall coordinate the deployment of the state emergency medical reserve corps with local health jurisdictions to ensure that local medical reserve corps members are not deployed away from local crises or emergencies that are happening concurrently to a state-declared emergency or threat.

Findings—Short title—Effective date—2023 c 210: See notes following RCW 70.410.010.